LivewellVirginia · River
Gunns Run
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for Gunns Run, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
21 species with advisories · contaminants: KEPONE, PCBs
What's safe to eat from Gunns Run
American Eel
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Atlantic Croaker
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Blue Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 32" | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Over 32" | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Blueback Herring
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Bluefish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Bluegill
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Channel Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Common Carp
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Creek Chub
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Flathead Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| Under 32" | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
| Over 32" | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Gizzard Shad
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Do not eat due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Hickory Shad
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Largemouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Quillback
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Smallmouth Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Spotted Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Striped Bass
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
White Catfish
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
White Perch
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
Yellow Bullhead
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to two meals per month due to elevated PCB. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
All Other Species
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| All sizes | General population | Limit to four meals per week. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-11-06
How to prepare fish from Gunns Run
Some contaminants build up in fat and skin, so cleaning and cooking can lower your exposure. Others — mercury and PFAS — are in the muscle itself and trimming does nothing.
PCBs
- Skin the fish — most of the contaminant sits in the fat just under the skin.
- Trim the fatty areas away: the belly flap, the top of the back, and the dark lateral line down each side.
- Cook on a rack — grill, broil, or bake — so the fat drips off the fillet.
- Throw the drippings out; don't use them for soup, sauce, or chowder.
- Choose smaller, younger fish — they've had less time to build it up.
Is it legal to keep?
These are Virginia's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Largemouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | 12" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | 18" min | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Muskellunge | 42" min | 1 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | 20" min | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 25 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Virginia — Virginia DWR